🔗 Share this article View the Director's This Epic Preview the Way It Was Never Intended to Be Seen. Christopher Nolan's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, is a film audiences have been anticipating ever since it was revealed. It firmly sits among the most hotly anticipated films of 2026. In a festive surprise, a trailer has finally arrived, though it's hampered due to the platform's low-quality encoding—perhaps explaining why Nolan initially kept the trailer solely for theatrical audiences. The Initial Look of the Stellar Ensemble This first look showcases Matt Damon portraying Odysseus. Audiences are introduced to Tom Holland playing the son and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. In a poignant moment, the character pleads with her husband to vow he will return, to which he look up and question what occurs should he fail. The trailer also offers a brief, shadowy glimpse at Polyphemus the Cyclops, whose flock are taken by the hero and his men on their treacherous voyage. Based upon a foundational pillar of Western literature, The Odyssey follows the epic journey of the legendary King of Ithaca. After his triumph at Troy, which is depicted in Homer's Iliad, Odysseus endures a long and perilous return to his homeland. Mythical Encounters with an All-Star Cast On his travels, the hero encounters countless challenges and mythical beings. These include the enchantress Circe, who transforms men into swine, as well as the treacherous Sirens. Regardless of these ordeals, Odysseus vows to overcome anything to get back to Penelope and Telemachus on his home island. The adaptation's cast is remarkably star-studded. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway is Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, together with Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Story Repeatedly Told The classic poem has inspired numerous adaptations throughout history. These range from contemporary versions to a 1999 ballet. It has even been a stage musical adaptation titled Epic: The Musical, presented as a multi-part album series. A full-length preview was long awaited following the project's reveal and a short teaser clip which was initially shown only on the big screen. That teaser later made its way onto the internet soon after. For a superior viewing experience, the preview available via the film's official social channel might deliver enhanced visual quality. The Odyssey will debut on global IMAX screens on July 17, 2026.